Poverty as described in ‘Small is Beautiful’ is still recognisable, E.F. Schumacher talks about a world where the ‘poor are getting poorer while the rich are getting richer’ where development co-operation primarily benefits the rich, where poor people struggle to find jobs, and flock into cities. Where science and technology has helped construct a system of production that ‘ravishes nature and a type of society that mutilates man’.
Practical Action was established by Fritz Schumacher to model a new form of development – one that was severely practical, that started with people and that used intermediate technology as a lever for change.
Margaret will talk about Practical Action’s experience, how for the last 50 years they have demonstrated in the Global South the success of many of Fritz’s ideas. She will also address current challenges - the impact of climate change and growing inequality. Practical Action is building a vision, on the shoulders of Fritz Schumacher, of a new approach to technology – one that uses technology to help end poverty and protect our planet – something they call Technology Justice.
3. The world’s richest 80 people are as
wealthy as the poorest half of the
world – Oxfam
The Wal-mart family own more wealth
than the bottom 40% of Americans
– Politifact
The richest 1% of the UK population are now wealthier
than the poorest 50% put together – New Economics
Foundation
The ten richest Africans own as much as the poorest half
of the continent – World Bank
4.
5.
6.
7. ‘What the poor need most of all is simple things –
building materials, clothing, household goods,
agricultural implements and a better return for
their agricultural products. They also most
urgently need in many places: trees, water and
crop storage facilities. Most agricultural
populations would be helped immensely if they
could themselves do the first stages of
processing their products. These are ideal fields
for intermediate technology’
19. Which has the greater amount spent each year?
Research into a cure
for male baldness
Research into finding
a vaccine for malaria
Technology innovation –
spending on health
research
20. Which has the greater amount spent each year?
Research into a cure
for male baldness
Research into finding
a vaccine for malaria
Technology innovation –
spending on health
research
10 x
21. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Low & middle
income
countries
High income
countries
% of global
preventable deaths
each year
93%
7%
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Low & middle
income
countries
High income
countries
% share of global
health research
budget
3%
97%
Technology innovation –
spending on health research
